Word Origin & History

stagger 1530, altered from stakeren (c.1300), from O.N. stakra or O.Dan. stagra, both "to push, stagger." Cognate with Du. staggelen "to stagger," Ger. staggeln "to stammer." Trans. sense of "bewilder, amaze" first recorded 1556; that of "arrange in a zig-zag pattern" is from 1856. Staggering "amazing" is attested from 1565.

Example Sentences for stagger

It is no pretty sight watching a bully stagger and fall from his pulpit.

The government is alert to the danger and says it will do its best to stagger the pain.

Some animals are ingesting the pesticides by eating poisoned rats as the rats stagger about, dazed but not yet dead.

But it manages to stagger to its feet and stiffly walks down the ramp.

The stagger in his gait and pleading in his eyes said it all.

Great trucks thundered past, showering her with grit, and a fierce wind got up that made her stagger.

They smile, then stagger on at full speed, panting and pouring sweat.

Then they stagger off to get drunk and catch up on their sleep.

Nighttime revelers joke and laugh, calling loudly for taxis as they stagger in.

People who share this view-or merely exploit it-have succeeded in slowing reform to a fitful stagger.